Coachella 2025 ended April 20, with impressive headliners such as Lady Gaga, Green Day and Post Malone. Since 1999, the music festival has captivated audiences with its memorable performances, eclectic fashion scene and bohemian vibe.
Though known for being one of the biggest music festivals in the United States, some people are beginning to wonder if Coachella has lost the plot. With ticket prices skyrocketing, questionable fashion choices being made and a lack of crowd enthusiasm, recently the energy at Coachella has felt off to many.
In an effort to understand if Coachella is still as big as it once was, Ohio University students offered their insights. Most of their concerns about the music festival declining in popularity is centered around celebrity privilege and fashion.
“It’s kind of turned into a privilege party,” Vivian Dennis, a sophomore studying psychology and sociology said.
According to Dennis, she feels as though Coachcella has turned into a “high society.”
She commented on how the basic human needs of the general public are not being accounted for.
“I saw the videos about the communal showers and I was like, dare I say, this is worse than a campus dormitory shower,” Dennis said.
Furthermore, in relation to the celebrity privilege being amplified this year, the term “influencer olympics” is a new way of describing Coachella. The term refers to how Coachella has become a competitive event for influencers to flaunt their fame and receive clout.
Haley Henighan, a junior studying fashion retail merchandising, said the music festival has turned into a symbol of status.
“It's not like we can just go to the Met Gala, it is more for people that are on that higher level,” Henighan said.
Dennis shared a similar opinion.
“It doesn't feel like it's something that the general public can access anymore,” Dennis said.
Audiences are beginning to see Coachella as an exclusive event because of the excessive amount of influencers they see going.
Kelly Prim, a junior studying commercial photography, said she doesn't think OU students care for the music festival at all.
“A lot of people that I have talked to here at OU, like my friends and stuff, don't really care,” Prim said.
Dennis had a similar reaction.
“I didn't realize that Coachella was happening until it started,” she said.
Although celebrity privilege is contributing to a lack of enthusiasm towards the music festival, many are also questioning the fashion scene lately. Known for being one the most notable fashion events of the year, Coachella has always upheld an image for showcasing eclectic outfits.
In the past, Coachella was known for its bohemian vibe. However, the fashion has evolved alongside the music festival.
“I think the influencers who are wearing that type of edgy style are definitely trying to express a different type of Coachella,” Hanighan said. “They are trying to revolutionize it into more of 2025 instead of 2015.”
Dennis offered a different perspective.
“People are so angry and so eager to cancel someone,” Dennis said, referring to TikToker Carter Kench.
Dennis expressed how the backlash Kench faced for dressing up as a telephone to see Gaga instead of dressing according to the festival theme was uncalled for.
Although there are mixed opinions on the evolution of fashion at Coachella, the music festival remains a bucket list experience for many. The festival’s reputation of being one of the best music festivals in the nation continues to draw crowds every year.
“I love [Coachella] so much, like it's literally on my bucket list of something I want to do,” Prim said.
Hanighan said the desire to go to Coachella was like a major sports event.
“It's like the Masters golf tournament,” Hanighan said. “Everyone who likes golf and stuff, if they have the opportunity to go, they are going to go, because it's just such a monumental thing.”
Every year, there seems to be more controversy surrounding Coachella. The celebrity privilege and fashion scene are causing audiences to question if the music festival upholds the same image it once did.
Regardless, people continue to flock to Coachella because of its cultural significance.
“It lowkey is modern day Woodstock,” Dennis said. “Who knows, maybe in the future Taylor Swift will play Coachella, and people will set fire to it.”
